Images of bloodied pensioners and police firing rubber bullets into peaceful crowds shocked the world today as Catalonia attempted to hold a referendum on independence from Spain.
The Spanish interior ministry called the referendum illegal and said it will not recognise the result.
Meanwhile armed police were called to schools to shut down polling stations and remove voters.
As early reports emerged of more than 300 injured citizens and more than 10 police officers, Europeans took to the internet to condemn the silence from the EU.
Spain is a member state and the EU has insisted Madrd deal with the issue internally.
The referendum has thrown Spain into its worst constitutional crisis in decades and will have major implications for the entire nation and potentially the EU.
Catalonia is a critical contributor to the Spanish economy and accounts for 20 per cent of the nations GDP. If it became independent the region would no longer be part of the EU and could potentially unleash a major financial crisis across Spain.
But the EU has remained tight-lipped amid fury the bloc should condemn Madrid.
Voters were left livid, asking Jean Claude Junkcer – European Commission President – why he was keeping quiet.
One man wrote on Twitter: “What has Tusk, Juncker said? I can’t believe the silence from the EU on this. Disappointment doesn’t come close!”
John Michael Murray said: “Prediction – Catalan within 48 hours announces independence. Bigger headache for the EU than #Brexit.”
Dan Sanderson tweeted: “The EU want a fascist United states of Europe. viva Catalan.”
Others said they will no longer see themselves as European.
Dorothy Bruce wrote: “Difficult not to attack EU when see Catalan scenes of police violence and hear no word of condemnation from Brussels. Spain is member of EU.”
Another said: “Do not call me neither spanish nor european any more … I M CATALAN !!!”
David Shelton said: “As Rajoy doesn’t respect the Catalan Language or culture it’s time EU told Rajoy he’s behaving like NicolasMiduro &tell him hold Referendum!
Politician Miquel Buch led the charge, calling for the EU to condemn the violence.
He said: “If Europe does not say anything about the violence we are living, I DO NOT want to be European.”
The Spanish Government has called for voters in the region to go home, but the streets are heaving with peaceful sit-ins.
Earlier today police fired rubber bullets at protestors.
Express.co.uk has contacted the European Commission for comment.